2017 Ford TRANSIT: complaints, problems and recalls

UNSAFE SWAYING WHEN PASSING OTHER VEHICLES OR BEING PASSED. SIDE WIND ALSO CAUSES THIS CONDITION.

Owner-reported narrative. 45 miles reported. Look up ODI 10960284 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE ON HIGH SPEED THE CAR COULD VIBERATE AND SOME TIMES ALSO NOT SITTING IN LANE AC IN PASSENGER NOT GOOD ITS THE SAME SYSTEM THEY USE FOR FOR A MALL CAR THINKS KEEP BRAKING LIKE THE PICTURE ATTACHED AND THE CLIP FOR WNDW ISNT SAFE AND STRONG I SHOWED IT FOR FORD ITS A NOW VEHICLE THEY ARE PLAYING AROUND WITH COSTEMERS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11042577 at NHTSA ↗

I WORK FOR NESTLE AND WE HAVE A 2107 FORD TRANSIT VAN. FIRST THE VAN SAID TO REPLACE EXHAUST FILTER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BRAND NEW. THE SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS WAS SO POWERFUL THEY MADE ME NAUSEATE AND LIGHT HEADED. THE SMELL WAS SO STRING IT STUCK ONTO MY CLOTHES. TIL THIS DAY THEY STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. BUT NOW READING THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAD THE SAME ISSUE I KNOW NOW THAT I'M NOT CRAZY OR MAKING THIS UP.

Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064918 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEREO SPEAKER ABOVE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE, AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM TWO WIRES THAT RAN FROM THE SUBWOOFER. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BY UNPLUGGING ALL THE WIRING FROM A WALL COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE FINGERS, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, WHEN USING THE GENERATOR, THE POWER FAILED. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064941 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO LOCK SECURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RACEWAY FORD (701 S GOVERNOR WILLIAMS HWY, DARLINGTON, SC 29532, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE EIGHT MILES REMAINING BEFORE EMPTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,457 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092881 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE 'TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN PARK' WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (AUTONATION FORD SCOTTSDALE, 8555 E FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260, [phone removed]) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11105354 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES, SIZE: 235/65/16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AN OWNER OF A VAN RENTAL FACILITY AND CHUNKS OF RUBBER WERE FALLING OFF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED CONTINENTAL TIRES AND WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER (MARLOW FORD, 1021 US-211, LURAY, VA 22835, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE TIRE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DOT NUMBER, TIRE LINE, AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE N…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11115285 at NHTSA ↗

SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK WHEN VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED. BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT BELT HARNESS CAME OUT OF PILLAR AND WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER HIT HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS A RESULT. INSURANCE IS REQUESTING THE VEHICLE BE RELEASED TO SCRAP BUT WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE EVIDENCE WILL NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED.

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11118953 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-06-26 (June 26, 2017)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling all 2015-2017 Transit vehicles except 156" and 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies. In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.

Consequence: If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles. A final remedy repair of a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint is being developed and is expected in early 2018. These repairs will be made free of charge. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S15.

Reported: 2017-10-23 (October 23, 2017)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.

Consequence: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S34.

Reported: 2018-04-30 (April 30, 2018)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.

Consequence: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Note: This is an expansion of recall 17V-668 (Ford recall 17S34). Ford's number for this recall expansion is 17S34-S1.

Reported: 2018-11-06 (November 6, 2018)

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: National Van will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact National Van customer service at 1-508-222-2272.

Reported: 2019-02-21 (February 21, 2019)

XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.

Consequence: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.

Remedy: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.

Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)

Fenton Mobility Products, Inc. (Fenton) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit passenger vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S & K Titanium Wheelchair Lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."

Consequence: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Fenton will notify owners, and a service technician will install Ricon Recall Parts Kit RI61396, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2019. Owners may contact Fenton Mobility customer service at 1-716-484-7014. Fenton's number for this recall is RI61396.

Reported: 2019-03-18 (March 18, 2019)

Quality Van Sales, Inc. (Quality Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Quality Van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Quality Van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.

Reported: 2019-03-22 (March 22, 2019)

TransitWorks is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit, 2018 Ford Transit Connect, and 2016 Dodge Ram ProMaster vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Seating GO-ES seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: TransitWorks has notified owners and instructed them to contact Freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman Seating customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or TransitWorks customer service at 1-855-337-9543.

Reported: 2019-03-26 (March 26, 2019)

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.

Reported: 2019-03-28 (March 28, 2019)

Cabot Coach Builders, Inc. DBA Royale Limousine (Royale) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit-based mini-coaches equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats recalled under 18E-076. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Royale will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the seat. The recall began June 6, 2019. Owners may contact Royale customer service at 1-800-544-5587.

Reported: 2019-04-03 (April 3, 2019)

Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Ford E-150 and Transit vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series wheel chair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.

Consequence: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Mobility Specialists, working with Ricon, has notified the owners. Ricon will provide instructions and materials for replacing defective parts. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

Reported: 2019-04-18 (April 18, 2019)

Mobility Transportation Services (MobilityTrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: MobilityTrans will notify owners and Freedman Seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mobility Transportation Services customer service at 1-734-453-6452.

Reported: 2019-04-26 (April 26, 2019)

Fenton Mobility Products, Inc. (Fenton Mobility) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Fenton Mobility will notify owners, and a Fenton Mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2019. Owners may contact Fenton Mobility customer service at 1-716-484-7014.

Reported: 2019-03-01 (March 1, 2019)

Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats. When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles has notified owners, and Freedman dealers have inspected and repaired the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles at 1-574-293-9191.

Reported: 2019-04-29 (April 29, 2019)

New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: New England has notified owners, directing them to contact Freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.

Reported: 2019-10-25 (October 25, 2019)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Transit vehicles. This recall includes all full-size Transit vehicles previously recalled under 17V-408 except ones that received mechanical universal joint (u-joint) as a remedy and any 156" or 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies models. The flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.

Consequence: If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling every 40,000 miles until the final remedy is available. The final remedy will consist of installation of a driveshaft front section equipped with a mechanical u-joint in place of the flexible coupling. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S38. Note: This recall supersedes recall number 17V-408.

Reported: 2021-08-11 (August 11, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.

Consequence: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.

Reported: 2025-09-03 (September 3, 2025)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.